• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.308-315
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• 2019

Objectives: Estimating influenza-associated mortality is important since seasonal influenza affects persons of all ages, causing severe illness or death. This study aimed to estimate influenza-associated mortality, considering both periodic changes and age-specific mortality by influenza subtypes. Methods: Using the Microdata Integrated Service from Statistics Korea, we collected weekly mortality data including cause of death. Laboratory surveillance data of respiratory viruses from 2009 to 2016 were obtained from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After adjusting for the annual age-specific population size, we used a negative binomial regression model by age group and influenza subtype. Results: Overall, 1 859 890 deaths were observed and the average rate of influenza virus positivity was 14.7% (standard deviation [SD], 5.8), with the following subtype distribution: A(H1N1), 5.0% (SD, 5.8); A(H3N2), 4.4% (SD, 3.4); and B, 5.3% (SD, 3.7). As a result, among individuals under 65 years old, 6774 (0.51%) all-cause deaths, 2521 (3.05%) respiratory or circulatory deaths, and 1048 (18.23%) influenza or pneumonia deaths were estimated. Among those 65 years of age or older, 30 414 (2.27%) all-cause deaths, 16 411 (3.42%) respiratory or circulatory deaths, and 4906 (6.87%) influenza or pneumonia deaths were estimated. Influenza A(H3N2) virus was the major contributor to influenza-associated all-cause and respiratory or circulatory deaths in both age groups. However, influenza A(H1N1) virus-associated influenza or pneumonia deaths were more common in those under 65 years old. Conclusions: Influenza-associated mortality was substantial during this period, especially in the elderly. By subtype, influenza A(H3N2) virus made the largest contribution to influenza-associated mortality.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.67-77
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• 2020

Purpose : Recently, Korea has entered an aging society due to the steadily increasing proportion of the elderly population. Additionally, elderly suicidal rate in Korea is the highest among OECD member countries. Because old age is a time when all functions are weakened physically, mentally, and socially, negative experiences, including depression and poor quality of life in the elderly, may lead to suicidal intentions. This study attempts to understand the relationship between depression and quality of life experienced by the elderly and their suicidal intentions. Methods : The survey was conducted from January 2 to March 31, 2019 by administering a questionnaire targeting people aged ≥ 65 years, who were registered at public health centers located in U-city, Gyeonggi-do. In total, 1,015 copies of data were used for the final analysis. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 23.0 program. The χ2 test was performed to investigate the relationship between the demographic characteristics and the suicidal intentions of the elderly subjects. The t-test was performed to determine the relationship between suicidal intentions, depression, and quality of life in elderly subjects. Results : The study results revealed that 168 people (16.6 %) had thought of suicide and 3.2 % had actually tried to commit suicide. The reasons for suicidal thoughts were family problems in 60 (5.6 %), economic problems in 49 (4.6 %), and physical illness in 44 (4.1 %). Those with suicidal intentions had higher levels of depression (t=11.712, p<.001) and higher quality of life scores (t=-9.565, p<.001). Conclusion : Based on these results, it is proposed that a suicide prevention policy and program that can improve the elderly's depression and quality of life is necessary.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.71-86
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• 2021

Purpose - This study examines the awareness regarding the symptoms of COVID-19 exposures and safety distances strategies whether they were useful to resile the businesses a mid of the pandemic. Besides exploring the awareness and safety distances, the effectiveness of offering free use of protective equipment (mask, hand sanitizer, frequent hand washing, etc.) to the customers for visiting the business centers was also examined. Design/methodology/approach - This study collected 264 survey data in Bangladesh which is one of the most densely populated country and very vulnerable for COVID-19 due to its socio-economic condition. The multiple regression analysis is used to analyze the data. Findings - The findings of the study indicate that the awareness about the symptoms of virus exposures (cough, fever, diarrhea, and weakness) has significant affirmative effects to enhance the public movement for business purposes with the lower possibility to be affected by the virus. The study also indicates that safety distances and protective equipment can mediate the significant positive relationship between the awareness of the disease and the businesses' resilient capacity. Research implications or Originality - COVID-19, as an apprehensive health issue in the current world, has sharpened the uncertainty of the businesses. One essential technique as lockdown, has been followed by almost every country to protect the transmission of the virus even though the scholars criticized it due to the substantial adverse effects on the country's economy. Under this circumstances, this study provides implications to the relevant businesses by assessing the nexus between the safety distances and the proper uses of protective equipment with the business resilient.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.357-365
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• 2010

The study surveyed care giver's perceptions of baby food and evaluated the quantitative and qualitative aspects of Korean websites related to the baby food for atopic dermatitis infants. Sources of care giver information about baby food were the internet (93%), clinics (57%), television (52%), oriental clinics (37%), and neighbors (6%). The five most commonly-used internet search engines (Daum, Google, Nate, Naver and Yahoo) were searched using the terms "atopic dermatitis", "weaning food" and "baby food". The searched websites included oriental medical clinics (38.8%), online merchant companies (13.4%), corporations (13.4%), medical clinics (11.9%), related associations (11.9%), public health centers (4.4%) and personal sites (4.4%). Website food and nutrition information included medical information about baby food for atopic dermatitis (92.6%), baby food for atopic dermatitis (67.6%), related community (58.8%), product information (32.4%) and baby food preparation for atopic dermatitis (23.5%). Qualitative evaluation was conducted based on the American Library Association website checklist; Website operator and information sources were provided for 62.7% and 38.8% of the websites, respectively. The purpose of a website was more explicitly stated in medical clinic sites than nonmedical sites. Only 24.2% of websites had a title that appropriately reflected the site's purpose. The majority (92.5%) of the sites were easy to read and understand. Information was judged to be sufficient in 65% of the medical sites and 74.1% of non-medical sites. A feedback menu and search function were enabled in 85.1% and 28.4% of the sites, respectively. The mean score for quality grade was 14.64 (range 9-19). In conclusion, in order to improve the information of baby food for atopic dermatitis infants in websites, accurate information by experts and continuing monitoring are highly required.

• 한국노년학
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.539-551
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was to investigate the factors influencing the fear of falling in frail elderly according to gender. Methods: The participants were the elderly over 65 years who were registered for case management for frail elderly of 253 public health centers. For data analysis, descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were performed using SPSS version 18.0. Results: Prevalence of fear of falling and the influential factors were different according to gender. 75.3% of the male elderly, 85.4% of the female elderly had the fear of falling. The predictors for men's fear of falling were static balance ability, experiences of previous falls, whereas for women static balance ability, TImed up and go, depression, experiences of previous falls, educational status were significant. Conclusion: Fear of falling and the influential factors of the frail elderly according to gender should be assessed regularly to find the high risk group. On the basis of that, prevention program for fear of falling and fall need to be developed and provided, which should be gender sensitive.

• Korean Journal of Hospice Care
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.46-69
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• 2001

Hospice Care is the best way to care for terminally ill patients and their family members. However most of them can not receive the appropriate hospice service because the Korean health delivery system is mainly be focussed on acutly ill patients. This study was carried out to clarify the situation of hospice in Korea and to develop a hospice care delivery system model which is appropriate in the Korean context. The theoretical framework of this study that hospice care delivery system is composed of hospice resources with personnel, facilities, etc., government and non-government hospice organization, hospice finances, hospice management and hospice delivery, was taken from the Health Delivery System of WHO(1984). Data was obtained through data analysis of litreature, interview, questionairs, visiting and Delphi Technique, from October 1998 to April 1999 involving 56 hospices, 1 hospice research center, 3 non-government hospice organizations, 20 experts who have had hospice experience for more than 3 years(mean is 9 years and 5 months) and officials or members of 3 non-government hospice organizations. There are 61 hospices in Korea. Even though hospice personnel have tried to study and to provide qualified hospice serices, there is nor any formal hospice linkage or network in Korea. This is the result of this survey made to clarify the situation of Korean hospice. Results of the study by Delphi Technique were as follows: 1.Hospice Resources: Key hospice personnel were found to be hospice coordinator, doctor, nurse, clergy, social worker, volunteers. Necessary qualifications for all personnel was that they conditions were resulted as have good health, receive hospice education and have communication skills. Education for hospice personnel is divided into (i)basic training and (ii)special education, e.g. palliative medicine course for hospice specialist or palliative care course in master degree for hospice nurse specialist. Hospice facilities could be developed by adding a living room, a space for family members, a prayer room, a church, an interview room, a kitchen, a dining room, a bath facility, a hall for music, art or work therapy, volunteers' room, garden, etc. to hospital facilities. 2.Hospice Organization: Whilst there are three non-government hospice organizations active at present, in the near future an hospice officer in the Health&Welfare Ministry plus a government Hospice body are necessary. However a non-government council to further integrate hospice development is also strongly recommended. 3.Hospice Finances: A New insurance standards, I.e. the charge for hospice care services, public information and tax reduction for donations were found suggested as methods to rise the hospice budget. 4.Hospice Management: Two divisions of hospice management/care were considered to be necessary in future. The role of the hospice officer in the Health & Welfare Ministry would be quality control of hospice teams and facilities involved/associated with hospice insurance standards. New non-government integrating councils role supporting the development of hospice care, not insurance covered. 5.Hospice delivery: Linkage&networking between hospice facilities and first, second, third level medical institutions are needed in order to provide varied and continous hospice care. Hospice Acts need to be established within the limits of medical law with regards to standards for professional staff members, educational programs, etc. The results of this study could be utilizes towards the development to two hospice care delivery system models, A and B. Model A is based on the hospital, especially the hospice unit, because in this setting is more easily available the new medical insurance for hospice care. Therefore a hospice team is organized in the hospital and may operate in the hospice unit and in the home hospice care service. After Model A is set up and operating, Model B will be the next stage, in which medical insurance cover will be extended to home hospice care service. This model(B) is also based on the hospital, but the focus of the hospital hospice unit will be moved to home hospice care which is connected by local physicians, national public health centers, community parties as like churches or volunteer groups. Model B will contribute to the care of terminally ill patients and their family members and also assist hospital administrators in cost-effectiveness.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2009

Purpose : To evaluate the number and severity of adverse reactions after Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccination in children using different vaccines (inactivated vaccine or live attenuated vaccine) and to determine the ability and safety of the vaccines to provide effective immunization for JE. Methods : From August 2006 to February 2007, we conducted a prospective cohort study of the adverse reactions associated with JE immunization in Korea. We investigated common adverse reactions during the 4 days following immunization using telephone collaborations with four public health centers and nine pediatric clinics. Results : The mean age of children receiving the inactivated vaccines and live attenuated vaccines, respectively, were 1.4 y (range: 1 to 8.5) and 1.7 y (range: 1 to 8.3). The number of children that received the inactivated vaccines was 425 (64.6%). A total of 233 (35.4%) received the live attenuated vaccines. Fourteen children (3.3%) had more than one localized adverse event with the inactivated vaccine, and six (2.6%) had more than one event with the live attenuated vaccine (P =0.607). Systemic adverse reactions occurred in 5.2% vs. 8.2%, respectively, of these groups (P =0.131). Fever was more common in the live attenuated vaccine group than in the inactivated vaccine group on the day of vaccination (P =0.026). Conclusions : The rate of adverse events in our study was even lower than that previously reported. No significant difference in outcomes between inactivated vaccine and live attenuated vaccine was found in JE-immunized children. Fever was more common in the live attenuated vaccine group than in the inactivated vaccine group on the day of vaccination.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.39-51
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• 2008

The objectives of this study were to analyze the socio-economical factors related to smoking and drinking behaviors using the Korea Welfare Panel data. The key variables were sex, age, frequency of health and medical facilities visit, subjective health level, smoking level, drinking level, depression symptoms, and low income level. Since the health variables in the Welfare Panel data were limited, the analysis was exploratory. In male population of those older than 30 years old, low income group people were more likely to smoke cigarettes than the general income population. In the result of the Chi square analysis, the smoking rate showed significantly different relationships with the different age groups, gender and income level. According to the descriptive analysis, persons with low income level were more likely to experience health risk behaviors and showed more medical service utilization. The utilization of the local public health centers was 4.6% for the Bow income level and 1% for the general level. The higher smoking rate was associated with the younger age, and the lower income. The smoking rate in the age category from 20 to 29 was 23.3% for the general level and 25% for the low income level. On the other hand, the drinking rate was even higher in the general families. The rates of non use of alcohol was 36.7% in the general families and 58.4% for the low income families. For both smoking and high risk drinking issues, demographic and sociological variables such as sex, age, education levels and income levels were analyzed, and there wer significant relationships. Health risk factors were serious for males, with age groups of 20's and 30's, lower education level, and in a low income family. In general, females were more unhealthy. The rates of smoking and drinking were higher in the low income level. Even in the health and nutrition survey results in 2005, persons in the low income class were experiencing poorer health in health level or the degree of action restriction. Since the effects of the health promotion could not be measured in a short period of time, it has not been easy to create the basis for the substantial effects. Factors related to health risks needs to be continuously studied using data from diverse field.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.125-148
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• 1998

Accurate vital statistics are essential for a national health planning and evaluation. Among various vital statistics, birth and death rates, and infant and matemal mortality rates together with the causes of death are the very basic ones for above purposes as well as for the maternal and child health management. These statistics are based on the birth and death reports. It is required by law to report every birth and death within one month after its occurrence. However, in case of a neonatal death occurring prior to the birth report, most of the birth and death are not reported. Thus accurate infant and maternal mortality rates are not available yet in Korea. The main objective of this study is to develop a birth and infant death reporting system via computer network. We designed a new birth report form based on the current form and data from the analysis of medical record forms of 14 hospitals. A new form is basically addition of essential medical information to the current birth report form. Since a revision of the rules and regulations related wtih the birth report is necessary to use a new form, we kept the current from intact to make it acceptable to the government office for a field trial. We also developed computer programs for data input for birth and death reports at a medical faciltiy, data processing for production of maternal and child health indices at a health center, and management of maternal and child health services including immunization and postantal care at health center. The birth certificate and birth report can be printed out at a medical facility. The computer packages were programmed by Borland Delphi 3.0 and can be run under Windows 95 system. We proposed a new birth and death reporting system via computer network after a field trial for data input, transmission, and processing. The medical and demographic data o birth and death at medical facilities will be sent to health centers directly via computer network. The health center will retain the medical data for analysis and forward only the data for birth and death reports required by current regulations to the Dong, Up, or Myun Office. Once the birth or death is reported via computer network to the Dong Office, then the Dong Office will notify the baby's mother of the birth report and request to submit the baby's name by mail. When the baby's name its submitted. the Dong Office will forward the birth reports to the Common Court and Statistics Agency in the same way as the current system, Upon the completion of birth registration of the Common Court, the court will issue the birth certificate to mother which will be used in lieu of the family record. The advantages of proposed birth and death reporting system via computer network ar as follows ; I) The accuracy, timing, and completeness of reporting will be improved and more accurate maternal and child health indices can be obtained, ii) The maternal and child health services of health center will be obtained, iii) Epidemiologic data for pregnancy and birth can be obtained, iv) Manpower for birth and death reporting will be saved.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.89-97
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• 2002

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the validity of the application of the Denver II developmental screening test to Korean children. This screening test. which was developed and standardized in United States. was designed to screen for developmental delay in Korea. and to compare the levels of development of Korean children with the development of children from the U.S. Method: Quota sampling. NP To facilitate field sampling. the age range used from 0 to 6 years old. was split into 10 different age groups. Sample size was estimated according to residence. 1.054 children were recruited from Seoul's metropolitan. urban and rural areas. NP To fill the quota established. the Recruitment and testing of children was done at public health centers, pediatric outpatient clinics of general hospitals and a child care center. The 25, 50, 75 and 90 percentiles were identified by using logistic regression analysis and were calculated as norms. The items in which the ages of both 50 and 90 percent passing differed more than 20 percent by the calculation was identified for comparison. NP Result: There were significant differences found in 45 items between Korean children and the children from the City of Denver as it relates to age differences. 90% of the sample passed items among 125 items from 4 sectors, e.g., personal- social. fine motor adaptive, language, and gross motor sectors. Korean children were found to be advanced in 9 items, whereas there were significant differences found in 38 items in our comparison of the two countries for age differences when 50% of sample pass items. Korean children were found to be advanced in 16 items. NP Conclusion: The result showed that there was a discrepancy in the developmental norms. It could be explained by the differences in the developmental environment. including child rearing patterns and ethnicity. Therefore, a restandardization of the Denver Screening Test is necessary as it relates to its application on Korean children. This restandardization is necessary in order to avoid both under and over-referrals of children with developmental abnormality. The modification of items in the language sector is especially suggested.